This text examines the meaning and nature of idolatry, revealing much about the monotheistic tradition that defines itself against this "sin". The authors consider Christianity and Islam but focus primarily on Judaism. They explore competing claims about the concept of idolatry that emerges in the H[...]
During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, great new trends of Jewish thought emerged whose widely varied representatives - Kabbalists, philosophers, and astrologers - each claimed that their particular understanding revealed the actual secret of the Torah. They presented their own readings in a c[...]
The idea and practice of sacrifice play a profound role in religion, ethics, and politics. In this brief book, philosopher Moshe Halbertal explores the meaning and implications of sacrifice, developing a theory of sacrifice as an offering and examining the relationship between sacrifice, ritual, vio[...]